Surgical abortion

Surgical abortion is a safe and straightforward day-surgery procedure that is most commonly performed in the first trimester (up to 12–14 weeks’ gestation). Second trimester termination of pregnancy may be performed up to 20 weeks in most states, and late second trimester abortion up to 24 weeks in Victoria, but this requires a more specialised procedure.

Surgical abortion in the first trimester is a low-risk procedure with a high success rate of greater than 98%. A doctor uses gentle suction to remove the pregnancy from the uterus. The procedure takes between 5–15 minutes and is usually performed under intravenous (twilight) sedation. Local anaesthetic can be used if preferred.

Following the surgical abortion procedure you will spend some time in a reclining chair or bed, as long as you need to recover. You will feel slightly drowsy depending on the type of anaesthetic you chose to have for the procedure. The nurse will check you post-procedure and you will not need to see the doctor unless experiencing any unusual pain or discomfort.

Following any surgical abortion procedure, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. You must arrange this before the procedure commences, as we cannot proceed without the name and number of your support person designated to pick you up. As we have a duty of care, we cannot allow you to travel home alone by taxi.

Once you have left the clinic, you may experience some period pain-like symptoms, which are best treated with over-the-counter painkillers. The most common side-effects you may experience after the procedure are:

Abdominal pain/cramps
To ease the discomfort try uterine massage (see section F of this pack), followed by abdominal hot pack and/or mild over-the-counter pain relief. Do not use aspirin, as this can increase bleeding.

Bleeding
Vaginal bleeding can start straight away or up to 2 weeks after the procedure. Bleeding differs for each person; however it is not normally heavy but may be accompanied by some abdominal cramping or blood clotting. In some women, bleeding and cramping may increase 4 to 5 days after the procedure and may last for up to 4 days. This is quite normal. Some women may have no bleeding following their procedure. This can be quite normal too.

“Morning” sickness
If you suffered from nausea before your procedure, you will probably find that it stops within 24 hours after the procedure. However, if 2 weeks after the procedure you still continue to feel sick, please call our aftercare nurses.

Breast tenderness
Breast tenderness can last for at least 2 weeks after your procedure. For some women, particularly those later than 12 weeks gestation, it is also quite usual for your breasts to become fuller and leak a little fluid for a few days. Do not squeeze your breasts as this will only make things more uncomfortable for you. Instead, try wearing a support bra. Mild painkillers may also assist.

Prices

Prices are based on the minimum cost for each procedure for patients holding a valid Medicare card. Further discounts apply for Healthcare Card holders in many cases. Visit the prices page to understand the factors that influence cost, or contact us to get an exact price based on your personal circumstances.

You may leave as soon as you feel well enough and have been discharged but you will need someone to accompany you home.

An approximate timeframe in the centre is around 4 hours, as it is a day surgery procedure, which includes check in, waiting time, consultation time with the nurse/doctor, procedure and recovery time.

Surgical abortions where the gestation is above 12 weeks will require a longer stay in the centre as medication may be required to help open the cervix before your procedure. From 16 weeks onwards you may require two consecutive appointments to complete the procedure. The duration of a second trimester termination will depend on gestation, previous obstetric history and the type of procedure advised by the doctor on the day.

Our doctors and nurses are specialists trained in termination of pregnancy procedures, often working at Dr Marie after years of experience working in their own women’s health focussed practices and family planning organisations.

Like all surgical procedures, there are some risks associated with surgical abortion. Whilst it is rare to have serious complications1, risks do include damage to the womb or cervix, uterine perforation (accidental puncturing of the uterus by an instrument used in the procedure), infection, retained pregnancy tissue or clot, and continued or ectopic pregnancy.

Generally, early abortion (less than 12 weeks) is one of the safest and most common procedures carried out in hospitals and clinics throughout the world. There is no medical evidence to suggest that a surgical abortion with no complications has any impact on future fertility or any other aspect of general health.

Your consulting doctor will discuss these risks with you on the day and gain your consent to proceed. For more information about the risks involved, you may wish to read an article comparing the risks and benefits of medical and surgical abortions.

You should contact our centre if you have any of these warning signs:

Excessive bleeding, that is, soaking through a super pad every half hour for 2 hours

Bleeding much heavier than your normal period, lasting for more than 2 days

Constant pain or cramps continuing for more than 2 days

Abdominal pain or tenderness that changes in nature, especially towards one side of your abdomen

Persistent blood clotting

Smelly vaginal discharge

Raised temperature or flu-like feeling

Sickness or breast soreness that has continued for more than 1 week

Absence of a normal period 4 to 6 weeks following the procedure (except in second trimester abortion).

If you chose to have the procedure under IV sedation you are unlikely to experience or recall any pain during the procedure, although you may experience some period-like cramping afterwards. If you choose to have the procedure under local anaesthetic you may still experience cramping during the procedure that may range from mild to strong.

There is a small chance, up to 2%, that the surgical abortion will be incomplete and a follow up procedure be required. Continued pregnancy is uncommon (1 in 500) and is more likely in terminations performed under 6 weeks.